Graduate Program
Brandeis faculty and alumnae are in the vanguard of feminist scholars worldwide. Our Joint M.A. provides a strong grounding in discipline-specific studies along with an interdisciplinary education in the theories, methods, and scholarship of women's and gender studies. By introducing current research in a range of fields, the Joint M.A. creates cross-disciplinary dialogue and prepares students for intellectual leadership in careers as diverse as public policy, education, social service, law, management, writing, and counseling. Doctoral students will find that our curriculum is excellent preparation for teaching and both in women’s and gender studies and in their chosen disciplines. Click here for a list of what some of our graduates are currently doing.
The joint master's degree in women's and gender studies and another discipline may be pursued independently or in conjunction with a Ph.D. in one of several fields. Students enrolled in Ph.D. programs in nine different fields are eligible to undertake the Joint M.A.; five of these fields also offer a freestanding terminal M.A with women's and gender studies. There is no Ph.D. offered solely in women’s and gender studies nor is there an M.A. exclusively in women’s and gender studies. All the degrees we offer are on the M.A. level, and all are joint degrees.
Students pursuing the Joint M.A. are encouraged to enroll in courses offered by the Graduate Consortium in Women's Studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The Women's and Gender Studies Program offers modest financial support for those students who cannot otherwise afford child care that enables them to attend courses required for the Joint M.A. Students who qualify for financial need may apply for stipends for child care support while they are attending a degree-required course (this does not include elective courses). Please contact the WGS program office for additional information.
The first option is a terminal M.A. in Women's and Gender Studies in conjunction with one of the following five disciplines: anthropology, English and American literature, music, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, or sociology. Most of these degrees can be earned in one year, but students may benefit from the rich array of course offerings by extending their studies into a second year. Prospective students apply through their home department in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Except in rare circumstances, this option is available only at the time of admission. The second option is a joint M.A. while in pursuit of a Ph.D. in one of the following nine fields: American history, anthropology, comparative history, English and American literature, music, Near Eastern and Judaic studies, psychology, social policy, and sociology. This degree option replaces a master's degree in the student's program. Students currently enrolled in an affiliated Brandeis Ph.D. program may enroll in the Joint M.A. at any time during their graduate studies with the approval of the Joint M.A. graduate advisor in their home department. Prospective Ph.D. students interested in pursuing a Joint M.A. must apply directly to the Ph.D. program through the home department, but should note their interest in the joint program in their statement of purpose.
The joint master's degree in women's and gender studies and another discipline may be pursued independently or in conjunction with a Ph.D. in one of several fields. Students enrolled in Ph.D. programs in nine different fields are eligible to undertake the Joint M.A.; five of these fields also offer a freestanding terminal M.A with women's and gender studies. There is no Ph.D. offered solely in women’s and gender studies nor is there an M.A. exclusively in women’s and gender studies. All the degrees we offer are on the M.A. level, and all are joint degrees.
Students pursuing the Joint M.A. are encouraged to enroll in courses offered by the Graduate Consortium in Women's Studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The Women's and Gender Studies Program offers modest financial support for those students who cannot otherwise afford child care that enables them to attend courses required for the Joint M.A. Students who qualify for financial need may apply for stipends for child care support while they are attending a degree-required course (this does not include elective courses). Please contact the WGS program office for additional information.
Degree Options
The first option is a terminal M.A. in Women's and Gender Studies in conjunction with one of the following five disciplines: anthropology, English and American literature, music, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, or sociology. Most of these degrees can be earned in one year, but students may benefit from the rich array of course offerings by extending their studies into a second year. Prospective students apply through their home department in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Except in rare circumstances, this option is available only at the time of admission. The second option is a joint M.A. while in pursuit of a Ph.D. in one of the following nine fields: American history, anthropology, comparative history, English and American literature, music, Near Eastern and Judaic studies, psychology, social policy, and sociology. This degree option replaces a master's degree in the student's program. Students currently enrolled in an affiliated Brandeis Ph.D. program may enroll in the Joint M.A. at any time during their graduate studies with the approval of the Joint M.A. graduate advisor in their home department. Prospective Ph.D. students interested in pursuing a Joint M.A. must apply directly to the Ph.D. program through the home department, but should note their interest in the joint program in their statement of purpose.
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| Joyce Antler, WGS Director of Graduate Studies |
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| Shane Landrum, Graduate Student Representative |